Opinions on JCB 403

[BobbySusie]

My dad is selling a fresh 3 ton Hitachi digger, and has been offered a 2013 JCB 203 in swap with some cash. Hes happy with the financial end of it.

The JCB would be used for loading small trailers in Dads landscape business, and I'd have the use of it for feeding, cleaning out.
I have a loader tractor that does all that, but be no harm in reducing its hours.

Are the 403 any use, has any one on here got on.

 

[Yale]

Not a bad little loading shovel.

Just check which engine it has as I seem to remember certain models of certain Perkins engines were difficult to refurbish........or I may have dreamt that.

@ACEngineering ?

 

[Yale]

Just spotted I think there’s some number confusion between 203 and 403. @BobbySusie

 

[Wellytrack]

I think @eulb has/had one.

 

[Blue.]

Did 8000hrs on a pair of 403s,both bought from new and both had problems with wheel motors (put me off ever having anything with wheel motors ever again)the newer ones from 16 or so don’t have wheel motors so should be ok.

Both mine ended up on their sides as they aren’t very stable once the booms in the air.

Good points... I liked the electric handbrake.

 

[BobbySusie]

Did 8000hrs on a pair of 403s,both bought from new and both had problems with wheel motors (put me off ever having anything with wheel motors ever again)the newer ones from 16 or so don’t have wheel motors so should be ok.

Both mine ended up on their sides as they aren’t very stable once the booms in the air.

Good points... I liked the electric handbrake.

Yes the one being offered has wheel motors. He wanted to buy a 524-50 but was offered this.

Not keen a it tipping over

 

[Blue.]

Yes the one being offered has wheel motors. He wanted to buy a 524-50 but was offered this.

Not keen a it tipping over

If you don’t need small get a 524-50 avoid the 515-40 they’re probably the worst machine JCB ever made.

Just had a look on JCB parts,wheel motor seal kit £412 front right wheel motor £2755 some muppet designed the early models so you had to remove the engine to get at the wheel motor,later ones had a plastic panel you removed to get at it.

 

[Wellytrack]

If you don’t need small get a 524-50 avoid the 515-40 they’re probably the worst machine JCB ever made.

Just had a look on JCB parts,wheel motor seal kit £412 front right wheel motor £2755 some muppet designed the early models so you had to remove the engine to get at the wheel motor,later ones had a plastic panel you removed to get at it.

Where the 406 407 models hydro too?

 

[Blue.]

Where the 406 407 models hydro too?

Possibly hydrostatic but had proper axles.

 

[Sparkplug]

Sounds like a 520-40 may be suitable, more reach and capacity than a 203, pretty bullet proof, reliable, sold in large numbers for last 15 yrs or so, still current model, can fit 11.5/80 x 15.3 ag wheels to improve from Industrial Wheels, 524-50 are a great machine but thin on the ground and strong money, not been made for a few years now - stick to something made and sold in good numbers and run in quantities by Plant Hire Companies - they have their finger on the "Cost Of Ownership" which covers reliability, residual value, etc

 

[Arceye]

Hi I need to take the engine out of a 2011 403. Does it come out the back or straight up?
All the f/r kit and pump stay on the engine to remove?
Just a mass of crappy oily wires all worn through, lots of broken wires.
Thx

 

[vantage]

Hi I need to take the engine out of a 2011 403. Does it come out the back or straight up?
All the f/r kit and pump stay on the engine to remove?
Just a mass of crappy oily wires all worn through, lots of broken wires.
Thx

Missed an opportunity there!